Judge Barry Williams declared a mistrial in the case against Baltimore police officer William Porter, the first among six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray on April 19.

The jurors deadlocked in the case against Porter, where he was charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and misconduct in office.

In light of the mistrial, the city of Baltimore is on edge in anticipation of possible protests and civil unrest.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake asked the public to respect the judicial process and stated, “In the coming days, if some choose to demonstrate peacefully to express their opinion, that is their constitutional right.”

But Mayor Rawlings-Blake also stressed that the city would protect it’s citizens in the event riots break out. “In the case of any disturbance in the city, we are prepared to respond. We will protect our neighborhoods, our businesses and the people of our city,” the mayor said.

-SUPPORTINGCOPS.ORG

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